Retirement Homes

For a comprehensive directory of retirement homes, retirement communities, assisted living communities, senior housing, nursing homes, skilled nursing communities and long term care options in the USA, Canada, and worldwide check out this site to search retirement communities.

​RetirementHomes.com is North America's largest and most comprehensive easy-to-use online Senior Living Directory. Covering the continuum of care and beyond, they offer the most up-to-date detailed listing information on the following types of Senior Housing Options:

Retirement Homes

Manufactured Homes

Golf Communities

Active Living Communities

Independent Living Communities

Alzheimer’s Care Communities

Memory Care Communities

Dementia Care Communities

Long Term Care Facilities

Nursing Care Facilities

Skilled Nursing Care Facilities

Rehabilitation Care Facilities

Some Americans are interested in looking at retirement homes and communities outside the U.S. (often because of weather or because they are less expensive) For a directory in Australia click here.

What is “Assisted Living” and How Much Should it Cost?

​According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,the national average monthly rate for a private, single occupancy room in an assisted living facility in the U.S. is $3,372.41 per month. The national average monthly rate for a shared room in an assisted living facility is $2,592.40 per month. The national average hourly rate for home health aides provided by a certified home health care agency is $20.65 per hour. These are averages and the cost varies substantially from one local area to another. Less expensive areas can be as low as $1,200 a month compared to well over $3,000 for the most expensive areas. Typically larger cities with higher costs of living charge the most.

Choosing the appropriate care option for an older family member or friend can be one of the most difficult decisions of a person’s life. Any move is stressful, and moving a loved one into an assisted living center or other elder care facility often involves leaving a residence they called home for many years. If you’re making the decision on behalf of a parent, you may even be saying goodbye to your own childhood home.

To make the transition from private residence to care facility as smooth as possible, it’s best to go into the decision process armed with knowledge. That is the purpose of this guide: to provide you with the information you need to make a considered decision and find the care option that’s right for you and your loved one.

If you’re reading this you are likely already weighing the potential benefits of an assisted living center over other options. A number of factors will figure into your decision, including but not limited to cost and level of care needed. This guide will help you answer three key questions that will arise in your decision process:

What are the benefits of choosing an assisted living center as my elder care option?

What is the difference between an assisted living center and a nursing home?

How do I choose the right assisted living center?​We’ll begin with an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of assisted living centers, so you’ll know if this type of facility is the right choice for you and your family’s needs.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Assisted Living Centers

An assisted living center is just one of many elder care options at your disposal. Other potential options include nursing homes and private home health care.​An assisted living center is an attractive option for many families who don’t require round-the-clock health care for an elderly patient, but they may not be the perfect fit for your needs. Below are some of the pros and cons of choosing this type of care facility.

Benefits of Assisted Living Centers

One of the reasons that assisted living centers are appealing to many people is that they offer a relatively high level of independence. If your parent or grandparent is in good health and doesn’t require much assistance with everyday tasks, assisted living is a terrific option. In fact, residing in an assisted living center is similar to having a private apartment, complete with private bathroom and kitchen, but you can rest easy with the knowledge that trained staff is on hand to help your loved one when necessary.In addition, residents no longer have to cook for themselves, clean their homes and do their own laundry. This removes much of the burden of living in a private residence and greatly reduces the likelihood of falls and other accidents. Meals and cleaning services are provided by staff, in addition to on-site medical care such as prescription drug services. Staff can also assist with tasks like bathing and dressing where necessary, and provide transportation services.

Assisted living centers also allow residents to decorate their own apartments, so you can create a very homey environment for your loved one, surrounded by the familiar and well-loved furniture and knick-knacks from their previous residence. This can significantly lessen the difficulty of the transition to a care facility.

Another benefit of assisted living is security. Your loved one will be safe in a secure environment with controlled access, so there is very little risk, compared to a private residence, of break-in or robbery. Seniors are also commonly the target of scams to solicit money. Staff can help protect your loved one from these uncomfortable, even dangerous situations.

Assisted living centers also offer social benefits: Your loved one will be in the company of his or her peers. Continuing to live in one’s own residence can become quite lonely and isolating for an elder, even if you hire a private nurse for companionship. At an assisted living center, there is no shortage of opportunities for friendship and social interaction. Many offer regular, organized group activities, as well as wellness and exercise programs, even on-site libraries or chapels where seniors can bond over common interests.

According to Loren Shook, president and CEO of Silverado Senior Living, social interaction even has cognitive benefits for seniors! It also reduces the incidence of depression.​Another benefit that can’t be downplayed is cost. Although we want the best for our loved ones, costs can be a very real limiting factor when it comes to choosing a residence. While assisted living centers aren’t cheap, they do represent a more affordable option than nursing homes and similar long-term care facilities, since residents retain more independence.

Drawbacks of Assisted Living Centers

Despite their benefits, assisted living centers aren’t for everyone. Though they are one of the least costly care options, the monthly expenses do prove too high for some families. Depending on the location of the facility, the services available and other variables, an assisted living center can cost anywhere between $1500 and $5000 per month.If costs are prohibitive for you, keep in mind that you may be able to seek financial relief through avenues such as:

Medicaid: You can speak with an expert about whether your family member qualifies for Medicaid assistance. Though assisted living usually isn’t covered by Medicaid, Medicaid can help with the costs of a nursing home.

Veterans’ benefits: Veterans and spouses of veterans may qualify for aid from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility varies, but the benefits can be significant. Again, speak with an expert to determine qualification.

Long-term care insurance: If your family member has purchased long-term care insurance, payments can be applied toward the cost of an assisted living center.

In some cases, the sale of your loved one’s home can be put toward the monthly costs of an elder care facility.

Another potential drawback is the reduced level of care. If the elder patient in question has more extensive medical needs, an assisted living center may prove to be insufficient in terms of services offered. If your loved one is very ill, has greatly reduced mobility or dementia, a nursing home may be required. An assisted living center will assess the needs of the patient when evaluating whether or not it’s a good fit. Note that there are assisted living centers which provide specialized care for some types of illness, including Alzheimer’s. These are sometimes called special care units, or SCUs.

Finally, the change in environment may be a difficult adjustment for seniors who are accustomed to living alone. Assisted living centers generally offer a high level of privacy and independence, but still less than a private residence. Additionally, each assisted living center will be governed by its own set of rules and regulations. For example, there are usually restrictions on pets and smoking.

These are some of the pros and cons that will affect your choice of senior care. In the next section of this guide, we’ll review the differences between assisted living centers and nursing homes.

Assisted Living Centers vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference?

Two of the most common options for elder care in the U.S. are assisted living centers and nursing homes. If you’re at the point of choosing a long-term care option for an elder relative, it’s useful to understand the difference between these two types of facilities, so you’ll know you’re making the right choice for your loved one.

Some of the primary ways that assisted living centers and nursing homes differ include:

Level of care

Cost

Privacy

Below, we’ll take a look at the key differences between these two types of care facilities in terms of each of these three factors.

Level of CareThe main difference between an assisted living center and a nursing home has to do with the level of care provided by staff. At an assisted living center, residents are assumed to be capable of maintaining a relatively high degree of independence. Though your parent or other loved one may need a little help with day-to-day tasks (presumably the reason you’re considering the transition to a care facility in the first place), he or she shouldn’t require constant care and attention if you want to consider an assisted living center. Assisted living facilities have fewer staff members than nursing homes, so they’re not a good option if the patient can’t move around on their own.

A nursing home, on the other hand, is more equipped to provide daily health care services for elders with more complicated medical conditions to monitor, including chronic, debilitating illnesses or severe cognitive impairment. Though a nursing home is not a hospital, the emphasis is on health care services, provided by doctors and nurses, rather than limited care and assistance for older residents.

Nursing Home and Assisted Living CostCost is another significant difference between assisted living centers and nursing homes. Because nursing homes employ more full-time staff members to provide a higher level of care, they are usually significantly more expensive. Costs vary by state, but the average cost for a private room in a nursing home is about $69,000 per year, or $5750 per month. Options to help you cover these costs include:

Medicare

Medicare supplemental insurance (such as Medigap)

Medicaid

Managed care plans

Assisted living centers are typically much less costly. Again, costs vary by state, but the average monthly cost for an assisted living center in most states is between $1000 and $3000 per month. Monthly costs in Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont, Washington D.C. and Wyoming are higher than average, sometimes up to $5000 per month. Click here for more information on the cost of assisted living by state.

As you can see, on average, the cost of an assisted living center is about half that of a nursing home facility. For this reason, unless the patient requires a high level of care on a daily basis, an assisted living center will usually be preferable. However, assistance in the form of insurance or other benefits may narrow or even close the gap between the two options.

Privacy & AtmosphereAn assisted living center provides more privacy than a nursing home. Residents’ apartments feel more like a private residence, with your own bathroom and kitchen. At a nursing home, there is more foot traffic in and out of the room, and patients may be forced to share a room with another resident due to cost and space limitations.

Furthermore, residents have more control over the environment in an assisted living center, because they can decorate their rooms however they choose, creating a more home-like atmosphere. This is a significant benefit for many families, to whom nursing homes can feel cold, sterile, and generic, and therefore stifling to your loved one’s individual personality.​This information was provided by Assisted Living Today, an online resource dedicated to providing valuable information about various aspects of elderly living and elderly care.

What are Care Homes and How Much Should they Cost?

Across the country they are called adult family homes, personal care home, adult foster homes, and group homes or perhaps, board and care home, butthey all provide a very basic and needed service: care for seniors in a home-like setting.This information is intended to provide information on care homes. We will use Personal Care Home (PCH) to refer to these seniorliving establishments.

In some areas, in some states, PCHs are the last resort for finding placement for residents who don’t quite meet the criteria for nursing homeplacement, but may not have the funds for assisted living. These also tend to be the choice for residents who have mental health disorders that hindertheir abilities to live independently or be accepted into assisted living facilities because of their perceived needs.

Most care homes are located in once single-family homes that have been converted into multi-unit dwellings. These homes may only have the ability tocare for three or four residents, where others can care for 20-30. Some are larger, hotel-like buildings which provide accommodations for dozens ofresidents.

In some states, there is no distinct regulatory difference between personal care homes and assisted living facilities. However, in some facilities thelevel of care can vary significantly. Some are simply for those who may need companionship while others help with select activities of daily living,such as dressing and bathing. In some settings, if appropriately staffed, medication administration and limited medical care may be provided.

Cost: As with assisted living facilities, the cost of PCHs varies from location to location. On average the cost ranges between $1500 and $3000 per month forroom and board. This often includes three meals a day, but each facility designates its own costs. The biggest difference is that some PCHs acceptMedicaid to help cover the costs of residency. in addition to private funds other programs such as the veteran’s Aid and Attendance benefits may beavailable to help pay for room and board.

When considering facilities, some questions to ask regarding cost include:

What is the monthly rate and what is included in this rate?

Are there other services available and at what cost?

What are the payment policies?

What happens if someone leaves the facility for medical care during? Will their room be held or will they rent be refunded?

What happens when private funds are depleted? Are there other forms of financial assistance?

Can Medicaid assist in covering room and board?

Regulations: Although most PCHs are privately owned, there are regulatory boards that oversee the well-being of the residents. In many states, inspections areperformed by various departments to ensure the facilities are compliant with codes, policies and procedures and to ensure residents are receivingproper care. If the facility accepts Medicaid as a form of payment, the state’s Department of Public Welfare will also be involved in the inspectionprocess. All inspection findings are public record and can be made available upon request.

Activities: Many PCHs offer group activities to keep their residents occupied. From group programs, movie and game night to classic bingo games, socialization andcompanionship is a key component of personal care homes.

Personal Assistance: Some facilities are able to provide assistance in scheduling and keeping doctor’s appointments. The staff may also notice when there is a change inhealth or behavior that may warrant a visit to the physician. Often, the staff can also arrange for transportation.

Freedom: Most PCHs allow residents to come and go as they please. They also may allow for smoking on premise, which is often restricted in other senior livingsettings. Of utmost importance, the PCH must provide the resident with respect and dignity and unless they are incapable of making their own decisionsbecause of mental incapacities, they should have the rights guaranteed to all.

As with any senior-living setting, it is important to tour each facility. It is recommended to tour the facility at varying times, and evenunannounced, to ensure you are seeing the facility at all different times of the day. While touring here is a list of key factors to take notice of:

Cleanliness: Does the facility appear clean? Does it have a noticeable odor? Do the residents appear bathed and groomed?

Staff Interaction: Is the staff treating the residents with respect and courtesy? Do they appear to enjoy their jobs?

Room Accommodations: Are the rooms private, semi-private or bunk rooms? Will your loved one be comfortable sharing his/her bedroom with others?

Bathrooms: Are there ample restrooms for the number of residents in the home? Are there private showers?

Resident Interaction: Does it appear as if the residents get along and enjoy one another’s company?

Smoking: Does the facility allow smoking in common areas? Are there designated smoking/smoke-free areas?

Safety: Are hallways and stairwells free of obstacles and fall hazards? Are exits well lit and easily accessible? Are there security systems in place toprevent unwanted visitors?

Surroundings: Does the home offer good lighting, clean furnishings, and well-kept grounds? Are there outdoor areas that can be used? By appearance alone, is this a place you would be comfortable living in?

In addition to touring it is highly encouraged to spend some time asking questions of the administrator or intake coordinator. Make sure you ask to seethe latest state inspection survey. This will list any infractions that the facility received and their plan of correction. Take notice of any trendsor sever infractions that could pose harm to your loved one.

Some additional questions to consider:

Staffing:

What qualifications does the staff have? Are they specially trained or licensed?

How long has the facility been under the direction of the current administrator?

What is staff turn-around like? What is the average length of employment?

Is the facility staffed 24/7?

Are staff continually re-educated on new policies, trends and techniques in elder care?

Dining:

Do the residents eat together or do they eat on their own?

Are meals prepared? Are dietary preferences taken into consideration?

Can the residents cook independently?

Can they cook in their room via microwave or hot plate?

Are there accommodations for special diets, i.e. diabetic, heart healthy or gluten-free?

Services and Activities:

What type of personal care assistance, such as bathing, grooming, dressing, is available?

Is there medical care available?

What happens when my loved one no longer meets the criteria for self-care at the facility?

Are there any transportation services available?

Are there regularly planned activities?

Are there religious events?

What are visiting hours?

Are pets allowed? Does the home have a “house” pet?

Other Residents:

Do residents speak highly of the facility and staff?

How are room changes and roommate concerns handled?

Is there a resident’s council that allows residents to freely voice their concerns?

Do any of the residents have a history of violent or aggressive behaviors? How are these situations handled by staff?

Making the move to a personal care home can be scary for many older adults or for adults with mental health issues or disabilities.

This transition often comes after living independently and can often take some time to adjust to a new way of living. Other residents find themselves in a PCH after anillness or injury and they or their families feel returning to their private home is not in their best interest. Again, the transition may be quitedifficult.

This information was provided by Assisted Living Today, an online resource dedicated to providing valuable information about various aspects of elderly living and elderly care.

Resources/Info

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